PLEASE NOTE: International Student and Scholar Services cannot provide immigration advising to individuals who are not affiliated with Temple University. The ISSS office advises current Temple University students, prospective students and individuals who are sponsored by Temple University. Other individuals seeking immigration advice should consult with a qualified immigration attorney or the international student advisor at their schools.

Employment Options

Students in F-1 or J-1 status who have Temple University sponsorship are eligible to work on-campus immediately. They are eligible to work off-campus, with written authorization from ISSS or USCIS, after they have been in F-1 status for one academic year. J-1 visa holders do not share that limitation and may, with authorization from ISSS, begin off-campus employment sooner.

A student in F-1 or J-1 status should never begin employment off-campus unless the student has already received written authorization to do so. Working without having written authorization to do so is a serious violation of USCIS regulations and may result in loss of your legal status in the U.S.

Individuals holding J-1 Scholar, H-1B, E-3, TN or O-1 status may only engage in employment for which they have been specifically authorized by our office or USCIS.

Only under certain circumstances are foreign individuals allowed to volunteer in the US. Please visit our website on volunteering for more information.